Thanks all. The 300 has been well used, was my daily driver until I acquired the 420.

In terms of which is the most pleasant to drive, great question and difficult to answer. I personally think the M103 provides the best combination of power and economy. The 300 being SA delivered is blessed without a CAT and has a V8 exhaust system fitted, so does feel really peppy and is as quick to 100 as the 420.

All the W126 engine combos have their merits;

- M110 sounds great and is bullet proof
- M103 is silent, just gets the job done and fuel economy wise is way ahead of M110
- M116 love it, especially in SWB version, sounds great, but need to get the REVS up. Doesn't use too much more fuel than M103

Can't speak to any other engine combinations, as these are the combos I own.

ngruzevs I have a 280SE with a gaping hole in the rear muffler and a smaller one in one of the "kidneys" on what I assume is it's original exhaust.
I've got two options regarding its replacement, a custom remake of the original from a 380SEL (looks virtually identical except where it splits for the V8 manifold) that I was thinking about cutting down & joining to the existing down pipes (from the exhaust manifold to where the two pipes join) or an aftermarket 300SE exhaust which although only has the single centre silencer (not kidneys), actually has a CAT & the same connection to the exhaust manifold.....however I'm not sure this option is wise or even possible so any advice you could give would be much appreciated.
Thanks

Go and have a chat to Performance Exhausts (Knoxfied), they guy that runs the shop has had many 126's. More than 12 months he replaced the original V8 exhaust system on my 300SE (South African deliveries had this option) He will be able to give you some advice on which way to go (benefit and cons).

Thanks so much, Knox is literally just down the road from me so that's great!
What are his prices like? When my previous W126 (300SE) needed a new center silencer, I took it to the local muffler guy (without shopping around) & it endd up costing just shy of $800 to have hom fabricate the center muffler & fit it to the car (I felt this was excessively expensive but please correct me if I'm wrong).....and I mean literally just the"box" muffler, not the CAT, minimal tubing was replaced and no hangers had been changed despite me asking for him to do it and him factoring it into the cost....but, you live and learn.

While I seem to be on a roll with this, does anyone happen to know any good tint places in Melbourne's East?